Having had an unexpected Ebay success in selling my old damaged Landie I had some free funds to put in the bank of old motorcycles. Getting older I am discovering the joys of smaller lighter machines. This little beastie caught my eye on Ebay. I auction sniped it at £1500 and got it for £1295.
It is a 1969 American spec BSA B25 Starfire. It has a hot high compression 250cc engine. Apart from the split fork gaiters (he supplied some new ones) and a non-functioning stop light everything seemed to work fine. The cosmetics are a bit tired.
When I picked the bike up the guy selling it very obligingly started it for me (I was later to learn why). Riding it home it took a bit of getting used to the down for down and up for up gear change. I quickly realised the little machine was enormous fun. The engine pulled like stink and would rev up to about 8k. The front twin leading shoe brake (as fitted to Bonnevilles of the era) was a real stopper. The gearing is pretty low so really a machine for lanes, B roads and byways. Perfect for where I live. It would be good in the city too. Suspension is very good and handling on the knobbly tyres was surprisingly good. Oh and a lovely rorty noise from that high level exhaust.
Having ridden it home the next day was fettling time. I put the new fork gaiters on and polished it up a bit. I then thought I would start it and tune the tickover. Trying to kick it over I had to battle with a slightly slipping clutch, a wobbly kickstart and a fearsome ankle breaking kick back. After quite a few wary nervous lunges I was overcome with exhaustion and had to go and have a lie down, thinking 'Oh dear, big mistake, I am too old for this'. After an hour thinking about the problem I thought easy thing to fix is the wobbly kick start. Off to the bike shop in Tunbridge Wells on the friendly non leg breaking James to buy a new cotter pin. With a nice firm kick start I tried a new technique. Get astride the machine, flood carb, close air lever, left foot on left footrest and give kick start a firm jab with ball of right foot toes instead of using my instep. The slippy clutch was still a bit of a problem but after about the 3rd kick it sprung into life. I shall order some new plates and springs, hopefully that will cure the clutch slip. It doesn't seem to slip in riding only when trying to kick it over that fearsome compression. It really needs a decompressor. At least I am now able to start it without breaking a leg or dying of exhaustion and it now ticks over nicely.
Might try and do a bit of green lane riding on it. Whilst not being a competitive off roader it should be quite good for fun off road riding. Maybe there is a local club.
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